Beatrice “Bea” Kella
July 5th, 1925 - May 21st, 2022
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Bea's Obituary
Bea Kella, 96, of Benton Harbor, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many, passed away, Saturday, May 21, 2022 at CrownPointe of Stevensville.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Starks Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Private burial will take place at a later date at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Bea’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Bea’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Bea was born July 5, 1925 in Eau Claire, Michigan to Edward & Anna (Stewin) Haskins. She graduated from Eau Claire High School, Class of 1943. On October 21, 1945, she married Joseph Kella in St. Joseph. In her early years, Bea worked as a waitress at the Whitcomb Hotel in St. Joseph. She devoted her life to her home and family but also worked for Benton Harbor Area Schools for thirty plus years, retiring as a food service supervisor. Bea was a long-time member of Peace Temple United Methodist Church in Benton Harbor until they closed, after which she attended Scottdale United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Trigenta Service League, and served as a volunteer and board member of The Morton House. In her free time, Bea enjoyed cooking & sewing but most of all, the time spent with her family and friends.
Bea is survived by her children-Daniel (Nancy) Kella of Asheville, NC, Elizabeth (Bo Vinnerljung) Kella of Sweden, Matthew Kella of Kalamazoo; daughter-in-law Betty Kella of New Carlisle, IN; five grandchildren-Jennifer (Chris) Hazlegrove, Lori (Michael Loderstedt) Kella, Axel (Sandra) Bohlin, Linnea (David Hesselbom) Bohlin, Jerry Thompson; seven great-grandchildren-Alex, Sara, Ethan, Juniper, Julian, Harry & Ture; her brother Charles Haskins of Stevensville; and several nieces & nephews. Bea was preceded in death by her husband Joseph on February 4, 2012, her son Joseph “Ted” Kella, and her sister Margaret Bowker.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Starks Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Private burial will take place at a later date at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Bea’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Bea’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Bea was born July 5, 1925 in Eau Claire, Michigan to Edward & Anna (Stewin) Haskins. She graduated from Eau Claire High School, Class of 1943. On October 21, 1945, she married Joseph Kella in St. Joseph. In her early years, Bea worked as a waitress at the Whitcomb Hotel in St. Joseph. She devoted her life to her home and family but also worked for Benton Harbor Area Schools for thirty plus years, retiring as a food service supervisor. Bea was a long-time member of Peace Temple United Methodist Church in Benton Harbor until they closed, after which she attended Scottdale United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Trigenta Service League, and served as a volunteer and board member of The Morton House. In her free time, Bea enjoyed cooking & sewing but most of all, the time spent with her family and friends.
Bea is survived by her children-Daniel (Nancy) Kella of Asheville, NC, Elizabeth (Bo Vinnerljung) Kella of Sweden, Matthew Kella of Kalamazoo; daughter-in-law Betty Kella of New Carlisle, IN; five grandchildren-Jennifer (Chris) Hazlegrove, Lori (Michael Loderstedt) Kella, Axel (Sandra) Bohlin, Linnea (David Hesselbom) Bohlin, Jerry Thompson; seven great-grandchildren-Alex, Sara, Ethan, Juniper, Julian, Harry & Ture; her brother Charles Haskins of Stevensville; and several nieces & nephews. Bea was preceded in death by her husband Joseph on February 4, 2012, her son Joseph “Ted” Kella, and her sister Margaret Bowker.
Memorial Contributions
Memorials in Bea's name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice in St. Joseph.
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.